Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce honors UH Hilo’s Kaʻiu Kimura with 2026 Athena Leadership Award
A dedicated advocate for Hawaiian language and culture, Kaʻiu Kimura has played a pivotal role in integrating Indigenous knowledge with scientific research, all while fostering community engagement.
By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.
The Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce has named Kaʻiu Kimura, director of Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, as the recipient of the 2026 Athena Leadership Award. The local award originates from Athena International, a non-profit organization that empowers women, girls, and allies worldwide to develop inclusive leadership through programs and opportunities. The official presentation to Kimura takes place January 20 at a luncheon hosted by the chamber.
“Throughout her professional career and personal endeavors, Kaʻiu leads with heart, purpose, and integrity,” states the chamber in the announcement. “Her impact strengthens our community and inspires others to step into their leadership potential.”
Kimura was named director of the university’s Hawaiian language college in 2023. She is long-standing executive director at UH Hilo’s ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi, a position she retains while serving as director of the college. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, she received her bachelor of arts and master of arts in Hawaiian language and literature from UH Hilo and is currently a candidate in the university’s Indigenous language revitalization doctoral program.
A dedicated advocate for ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and culture, Kimura has played a pivotal role in integrating Indigenous knowledge with scientific research, all while fostering community engagement. Her passion for language revitalization was inspired by her uncle, UH Hilo Professor of Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies Larry Kimura, a key figure in the Hawaiian language movement and a founding board member of ʻAha Pūnana Leo local non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the Hawaiian language. Witnessing the success of Hawaiian-speaking families, Kaʻiu was motivated to dedicate her career to ensuring the perpetuation of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.
Before her leadership at ʻImiloa and Ka Haka ʻUla, Kimura worked with ʻAha Pūnana Leo, developing outreach programs for Native Hawaiian and international Indigenous communities. She’s also lectured at UH Hilo, created Hawaiian language curricula for various industries, and participated in prestigious fellowships, including the First Nations’ Futures Fellowship and the Omidyar Fellows program.
Kimura continues to lead efforts in education, culture, and science, strengthening the bridge between traditional knowledge and contemporary innovation for the benefit of future generations.
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Story by Susan Enright, public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
